Annual Report 2019

ANNUAL REPORT 2019

FOREWORD

In 2019, Limerick Youth Service (LYS) delivered on a broad range of innovative and impactful projects and programmes engaging large numbers of young people from across Limerick City & County. This report will outline the services and supports provided by LYS in meeting the aims and objectives of our Strategic Plan 2017-2021.

Some key developments in 2019 included:  Jim Daly, Minister of State at the Department of Health, visited LYS and presented the Investing in Children award and launched the BE WELL What is Counselling? video;  The Ability Programme continued to empower and facilitate young people with disabilities to develop personally, economically and socially;  Stand Up was a powerful performance by young people from LYS’ Diversity and Youth Group that wowed a packed auditorium at the Belltable Arts Centre. Stand Up gave an insight into growing up in Ireland through the eyes of young people from migrant communities;  As part of YELL Yhdessä’ LYS hosted and visited a Finnish group from the city of Kuopio, as part of an international youth exchange;  LYS re-tendered for the Comhairle contract in October 2019 and was successful;  Young People attending LYS’ Community Training Centre (CTC) have continued to attain accredited qualifications and we have also enhanced our work experience opportunities and employability initiatives for young people;  We have worked with over 1000 young people across 21 clubs including groups of young people with disabilities and ethnic minorities;  Research has been completed on the needs of rural young people and will be launched and published in early 2020.

On the 11th of March 2020 the world in which we operate changed fundamentally, the World Health Organisation officially declared COVID-19 as an international pandemic.

LYS have responded to this unprecedented situation by continuing to deliver supports and services to young people despite the challenges of restricted movement. We have focused on the use of digital platforms where appropriate and on continuing to provide crises support to young people where needed.

We are liaising with all funders and securing agreements in relation to funding requirements during the Covid 19 pandemic, implementing a service response plan including working from home arrangements, crises service delivery, risk assessments, return to work protocols and staff training.

What is more difficult to assess is the impact of Covid-19 on global and national economies and the consequences of this unprecedented event on funding for youth work in Ireland post – 2020.

The mental and physical health challenges facing young people within the current environment are growing and demand for our services in the area of adolescent mental health are outstripping our capacity to respond. Overall funding for youth work stands at 17.4% below 2008 levels, not taking inflation into account.

These are the challenges we are facing and the commitment and passion of our Board and staff in facing this difficult period will be essential in ensuring that we can meet our objectives and so live our mission, which is to connect with young people and support them to reach their full potential. Chairperson CEO Patrick Lynch Fiona O Grady

‘Connecting with young people and supporting them to reach their full potential’

HIGHLIGHTS 2019

13 Young People took 21,000 part in an international 24 young people 2,500 people Youth Exchange to joined the Ability young accessed Finland programme where they were mentored, coached people and the facilities and supported into of The IN 2019 education, training and or 220 167 employment Factory parents/

Southside LEARNERS guardians ENGAGED WITH Youth 95 young accessed THE LIMERICK LYS Space YOUTH SERVICE people accessed youth COMMUNITY one to one counselling PROGRAMMES information TRAINING CENTRE through the LYS DELIVERED TO service BeWell Team OVER 500

YOUNG PEOPLE 94% of Trainees that INCLUDING complete their course or JUNIOR LEADER time at LYS CTC progress to employment or further 187 TRAINING, 157 Work education & training marginalised MOVING ON Experience young people UP- PRIMARY TO Placements including LGBT, SECONDARY 17 SCHOOLS AND 3 were facilitated in displaying LYS TRANSITION YOUTH GROUPS ENGAGED IN Migrants, and CTCs commitment PROGRAMME, THE COMHAIRLE NA NOG Travellers to work/skills- YOUTH BANK AGM IN OCTOBER. accessed based learning AND 102 YOUNG PEOPLE ATTENDED services TRENGTHENING THE EVENT S FAMILIES LYS Youth & Family RATHKEALE YOUTH PROJECT WORKED The East Limerick Youth Project Support Project worked with an average engaged 95 young people aged 10-16 across of 63 Young people WITH 164 Castleconnell, Cappamore & Caherconlish and their families over YOUNG PEOPLE ON 2019 AN ONGOING BASIS 3

About Limerick Youth Service LYS was founded in 1973 as a provider of youth work, education, training and employability programmes and youth friendly spaces to young people aged 10 to 25 in Limerick City & County. LYS is a registered charity and a member of Youth Work Ireland. LYS is governed by a Voluntary Board which is responsible for the overall governance of the Organisation.

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

Our Values Inclusive & Integrated Youth Service

To further develop and promote safe, Young People at the integrated and inclusive youth services for young people in Limerick City & County Centre of all that we

do Youth Participation Value Young People, To ensure that young people are actively involved and have real inﬂuence and voice in Volunteers & Staff decision-making on matters affecting their lives, both directly and indirectly Learning, Creativity &

Innovation Supporting Volunteers Equality, Inclusion & To attract, support and sustain active volunteers so they may positively contribute to Diversity improving the lives of young people, and to strengthen communities and civil society

Young People achieving their potential To empower and facilitate young people to develop personally, economically and socially to meet their needs and realise their full potential

Enabling our Strategy To build a strong organisation that is open to learning, responsive to change and committed to its ongoing development

Inclusive & Integrated Youth Service

To further develop and promote safe, integrated and inclusive youth services for young people in Limerick City & County

Targeted Youth Funding Scheme

The Targeted Youth Funding scheme, funded by the Department for Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA), provides out-of-school supports to young people in their local communities. The aim of this scheme is to enable young people achieve their full potential by strengthening personal and social development outcomes.

LYS supports 7 Projects under this programme: East Limerick, Rathkeale, Garryowen, Kings Island, Special, Social & Educational Initiatives (SSEI), Youth Resource and Outreach.

LYS Projects engaged a total of 861 young people aged 10 to 25 years with the Outreach Project engaging over 2,200 young people

Throughout 2019, all Targeted Youth Funding Projects were prepared for re-structuring under the new DCYA targeted youth funding scheme: “UBU - Your Place, Your Space”.

THE EAST LIMERICK PROJECT engaged 93 young people aged 10-18 years from Castleconnell, Cappamore & Caherconlish.

Young people accessed the following services and supports:

o Outreach activities including family support;

o Group Work sessions including safe and secure chill-out spaces; outdoor games and walks; relationship building; team building games and challenges; sexual Let’s dance! Caherconlish crew getting in some practice health workshops; social & emotional ahead of the 2019 Youth Factor! well-being; arts and crafts preparations for community events;

o Evidence-Based programmes were YouthBank delivered around resilience & personal development, sports & nutrition, health & fitness, drug and alcohol awareness, BOLD (Bank of Life Changing Dosh) YouthBank, woodwork and film production; consisted of students from Scoil na Trionaide, Doon, who took part in the YouthBank programme o Once Off/Day Trips & Residentials; with LYS as part of a Transition Year project. As part of the YouthBank programme, the o One to One social & emotional supports; students participated in a comprehensive training programme where they learned new skills in o Support & Supervision to volunteers and leadership, team-work and communication to to students under 25 completing name but a few. placements. The young people raised funds by bag-packing at the local supermarket with all monies raised matched by YouthBank Ireland. BOLD YouthBank Bold Youthbank Committee Members Ireland was supported by LYS, YouthBank Ireland, Limerick City & County Council and the Ballyhoura Community Development Leader programme

Rathkeale Youth Space

164 young people aged 10 – 17 engaged with the Rathkeale Youthspace, specifically marginalised young people and young people experiencing socio-economic deprivation including Traveller and settled young people.

The services and supports provided included:

Askeaton Girls Group receiving their certificates on  Advocacy work supporting completing a nail art course young people to access a holistic range of services;

 Outreach work and home visits with parents and guardians;

 One to one social and emotional supports;  Residentials, Holiday Camps, Discos;  Group work sessions focused on physical and mental health, learning and development; learning and development and youth participation & civic engagement engagement;  A structured outdoor education programme was delivered to local Leaving Cert Applied students. In 2019 the Senior Traveller Boys Group met every Wednesday to socialise, take part in a health and fitness programme and a baking programme. The boys developed life skills and had an opportunity to have fun in a safe environment.

The Kings Island Youth Project engaged 47 young people aged 10-16 years from across the Kings Island area of Limerick City. Nicholas Street Youth Space provides services and supports to young people including:  Detached/Outreach activities including home visits and detached youth work with young people in their own communities - playing Handball in Kings Island sport and maintaining public facilities;

 Group work sessions such as arts and crafts; homework club; healthy eating/food literacy and cooking; baking; social and fun activities in safe and secure spaces including games, movie nights, board games, bingo, quiz nights; photography; music and ukulele workshops; local walks and trips; visits to other LYS groups and centres; kayaking; soccer; handball; horse riding; fishing; talent competitions; pool competitions and end of year sports day;  Weekly youth café sessions;  Evidence-based programmes included bee keeping; singing work-shops; hair and beauty and the delivery of a Youth Identity programme to young women aged 17-20 years;  Once Off/Day Trips included activity day trips 2019 saw the opening of newly refurbished to Ballyhass Lake and holiday camps trips to youth friendly Nicholas St. Youth Space, the Escape Rooms, Cinema, Youth Factor Nicholas Street Show and to the Garda Station.

King’s Island Youth Group 2019

Diversity & Youth

LYS’ Diversity & Youth (DAY) Group engaged SUPPORTED SPY SSEI 23 young people aged 13-20 years, of varied 164 MARGINALISED AND nationalities, ethnic and cultural heritage in EXCLUDED YOUNG PEOPLE the production and performance of ‘Stand ACROSS LIMERICK CITY Up’ to a sold out auditorium in the Belltable INCLUDING YOUNG Arts Centre, Limerick. Through short drama TRAVELLERS, LGBTI, pieces, monologues and dance routines, the MIGRANT YOUTH & YOUNG young people shared their experiences of PEOPLE LIVING IN DIRECT racism, living in the direct provision system PROVISION, YOUNG PEOPLE and adapting to Irish culture. The DAY group STRUGGLING WITH received an award at the Garda Youth ACCOMMODATION ISSUES Awards held in Adare 2019 celebrating their AND YOUNG PEOPLE WHO achievement in producing and performing ARE NOT IN EDUCATION this play. AND/OR EMPLOYMENT.

The Day Group performing at the Belltable Arts Centre, Limerick May 2019

LGBT+ Youth EMBODY CULTURAL INTEGRATION Group PROGRAMME 25 young people aged 13 – 20 years LYS, in partnership with Doras Luimní, designed and engaged with the LYS LGBT youth group; delivered a peer mentoring educational training participating in Dublin and Limerick Pride programme to enable TY students to deliver Parades and the ‘Shine a Light on the River workshops within their own school on racism and Project’ and a range of other activities and cultural difference. ‘Embody/Cultural Integration’ programmes. workshops were delivered to 315 young people aged 16-18 years attending Transition Year (TY) in Crescent Comprehensive, Ard Scoil Ris, Scoil Chiarian, Desmond College- Scoil Mhuire agus Ide- Thomond Community College and Gaelscoil Luimnigh.

Pride Party 2019 Poster made by the LGBT group celebrating Limerick Pride Parade in 2019

TRAVELLER YOUTH

LYS continued to work with young travellers in the city environs. 32 young people aged 13 to 24 from halting sites in the city environs accessed LYS youth worker support through outreach, work with families and one to one supports in relation to social and emotional well- being. Group work supports and services were provided in areas including martial arts, a workshop with Fisheries Ireland; equine welfare; school support; health and fitness; physical education and personal development.

Safe, accessible and youth friendly YOUTH spaces LYS services and supports have been delivered within dedicated, safe, accessible and youth friendly spaces ESOURCE supported R across Limerick City & County open access youth spaces and facilities in highly disadvantaged urban and rural areas across LYS Headquarters, Lower Limerick City & County, including: Glentworth Street, Limerick RK Youth Café in Rathkeale,

Footsteps & Steps Youth Café at Community Training Centre, the Northside Youth Space and Lower Glentworth Street, Lava Javas in the City Centre. Limerick

In addition to youth cafes, Youth The Factory, Southside Youth Space, Galvone Business Park, Resource supported a range of youth initiatives across the county Limerick including: Northside Youth Space,  Study groups;  One to one supports around Ballynanty, Limerick social and emotional well- being and education Rathkeale Youth Space, Abbey issues; Court, Rathkeale, Co. Limerick

 Sexual health workshops;  Summer Camps, social and Nicholas Street Youth Space, fun day trips; Nicholas Street, Limerick.

 Evidenced based programmes. East Limerick Youth Project, Castleconnell, Co. Limerick

23,000 people accessed the Factory SYS in 2019. 40 community and youth groups used the facility on an ongoing basis. At the request of Limerick City & County Council (LCCC), Limerick Youth Service agreed to continue our management of The Factory Southside Youth Space for an additional two year period up until the end of 2021. LCCC have committed to providing the necessary operational and capital funding which will allow for the provision of valuable services to young people and the community.

In addition, LCCC have committed to immediately progressing plans to develop and invest in appropriate youth and community facilities on the southside of the city with a view to having facilities in place by the start of 2022. The Factory Southside Youth Space will continue to be an open, inclusive youth and community space for young people from the southside and beyond with Limerick Youth Service continuing to develop programmes and initiatives that will support young people across the community.

Members of Lava Java’s Youth Committee YOUTH

CAFES LYS currently supports 4 youth cafes in the city and county, RK Youth Café in Rathkeale, Steps Youth Café at the Northside Youth Space, Laff Caff at the Factory and Lava Javas in the City Centre. Approximately 250 Young people accessed these cafes on a weekly basis in 2019. ‘Footsteps Café’ in the Northside Youthspace is a weekly youth café for 13 to 15 year olds and ‘Steps café’, a weekly INTERNATIONAL YOUTH youth café for 16 to 18 year olds. A weekly café type session was also accessed by young people aged 10 – 12 years; enabling WORK them to socialize, develop and have fun, in a safe and secure space.

87 young people aged 13-20 years, registered with RK Youth Café in Rathkeale, accessing weekly safe and youth-friendly spaces to chill-out and be themselves.

Lava Java’s Youth Cafe is a youth led project in the centre of Limerick City The Northside Youth Space supported 13 young providing a fun, friendly, active and people aged 13-18 years to travel to Finland as part engaging environment for Limerick’s of Erasmus+ Youth Mobility programme in 2019. As vibrant and diverse young people. part of this exchange, LYS welcomed 21 young people aged 13-25 from Finland. Prior to travelling to Finland, young people completed workshops in areas including inter-cultural knowledge, understanding and skills; language skills and personal development. Following the exchange, a number of young people presented on their experience to LYS Board of Management at the Annual General Meeting.

Garryowen Youth DETACHED Together Project YOUTHWORK engaged a total of 64 young people from across Garryowen in The Detached Youth Work Programme is an youth work activities supporting: outreach programme that engages with vulnerable o 8 young people in a young and socially excluded young people and helps them womens group aged 18-24; connect with supports that will aid them in o 16 young people on a young addressing their needs. men’s group aged 18-24; o 16 young people on a young boys group aged 10-15; o 5 young people on a young womens group aged 16-18; o 12 young people on a Saturday group; o 5 young people on a youth participation group.

Garryowen Youth Project LYS has three strands of Detached Youth Work: Ballycummin/Raheen, City Centre & Garryowen.

Limerick City Centre Detached Project The City Centre Detached Project began the end of March 2019 and it covers 3 electoral districts in the City Centre. Its main aim is to engage with young people who may be detached from society or from a service.

Garryowen Detached Youthwork The Garryowen detached work sessions take place 3 times per week. Each week, there is approximately 50 contacts with young people.

Ballycummin/Raheen The Ballycummin/Raheen detached work takes place twice per week. Over 50% of the contacts are street based with the remainder of contacts happening in shopping areas, social areas, lanes/fields etc. Over half of the contacts with young people were young people engaged in social & recreational activities. 15% were young people engaged in risk taking behaviour.

84 young people aged 10-16 were in receipt of a Youth and

Family Support Project

The types of interventions offered to young people included one to one and group work supports around social and emotional well- being and transitioning out of care including communication, emotional regulation, confidence and self-esteem, peer and family relationships, problem solving and decision making. Supports around physical health including sexual health in addition to educational supports and financial and housing related interventions were also accessed by young people.

Family support was facilitated around mental health and well-being, economic deprivation, safety and security and parenting programmes was delivered. Advocacy with other professional bodies and referrals to support organisations and services including counselling services were provided.

Evidence-based programmes were delivered to address mental health literacy and resilience. Crises interventions responses included working with homeless young people and young people with suicide ideation.

Young people also accessed holiday provision including indoor and outdoor fun activities with family and peers.

Young participants in the Youth and Family Support Project also attended The 4th National Child and Youth Participation Conference - “Bigger and Better: Building on our Success”, in April 2019 in the Sheraton Hotel, Athlone.

LYS Youth Mental Health Project WHAT IS COUNSELLING? Be Well therapists have The aim of Be Well’s Youth Advisory Panel (YAP) is to strengthen provided one to one strengths- the voice and influence of young people in youth mental health services. based counselling to 94 young people; positively contributing The YAP engaged in activities including contributions to 2019 towards their social and Mental Health Week, local and national mental health conferences emotional mental health and and consultations with medical bodies including the HSE. The Be well-being Well YAP was instrumental in the production of the video ‘What is Counselling’, explained below: Be Well’s youth mental health worker delivered the Youth ‘What is Counselling?’ https://limerickyouthservice.com/counselling- Identity Project - empowering young women to explore who video/ - is a short film that aims to make young people feel more they are and to reflect on where comfortable asking for and attending counselling. The film draws their sense of identity comes from. on the experiences of young people who have attended counselling and challenges the stereotypes often associated with it. The YMH worker also provided In 2019, Minister for Mental Health, Jim Daly TD launched the video group and one to one supports in addition to presenting members of LYS with an Investing in around: Children Membership Award, acknowledging the role LYS has played in supporting the active involvement of young people in o Social and emotional well- decision making on matters affecting their lives, including youth being including grief and mental health. loss, learning and development, loss through suicide, relationships, self- care and communication skills; o Counselling referral support and referrals to other support organisations along with advocacy on behalf of young people with medical professionals; o Mental health and well- being stigma reduction activities were delivered targeting 250 young people including Members of LYS’ Mental Health Youth Advisory Panel community events with Minister Jim Daly TD & Maurice Hoare, HSE focused on suicide prevention, social Be Well’ YAP Chairperson, Cian Guerin, accepted the award and told innovation awards and the Minister that ‘one of our messages is to bring down the stigma wellness days. and stereotypes of mental health and encourage young people to

be more aware of it.’

Traveller Youth Mental Health

The Mid-West Traveller Youth Mental Health (TYMH) initiative was established for one year in March 2019. It was delivered in partnership with the HSE’ Traveller Health Unit (THU).

The TYMH initiative promoted and protected the mental health and wellbeing of young Travellers aged 10-25 years, through: - the creation of Traveller Youth Advisory Groups (TYAGs) engaging 10 young travellers across five Hubs in the Mid-West region (Askeaton; Littleton; Ennistymon; Limerick City and Kilmallock) - the development of a suite of bespoke Traveller youth mental health and well-being information and capacity development materials.

The TYAGs led consultations around the development of a set of bespoke communication, information and capacity building Campaign Materials – with a focus on messages of ‘Connectedness’, ‘Hope’, ‘Identity’, Meaning’ & ‘Empowerment’. The following potential mediums and messages were identified:

 Mental Health Promotional Video  Accordion Style Business Card containing signposting information  Phone Pop Socket  Intergenerational podcast with music and sharing experience.  T-shirt with pictures and positive mental health slogan

The plan to launch and disseminate the media and messages and measure the impacts of the campaign will continue in 2020.

Garda Youth YES Programme Diversion Project (Youth Empowerment SRE) The aim of this programme is to explore the LYS’ Garda Youth Diversion Projects (GYDP) work with area of sexual wellbeing, healthy young people (12-17yrs) who are involved in, or a risk of becoming involved in anti-social behaviour and crime. relationships, consent and the wider Projects work in partnership with the Irish Youth Justice influences in this context such as social Service and An Garda Siochana. media and peer pressure. LYS ran this programme as a pilot programme in 2019. Our three projects are located in Ballynanty, Irishtown and The programme was officially launched in King’s Island with our outreach team engaging with Ireland in Mansion House, Dublin in young people in the Limerick City Centre (Henry St) & November 2019 and is part of a Europe Castleconnell Garda area. wide initiative. Its purpose is to provide

The projects are designed to help young people develop young people with empowering sexual their sense of community and their social skills through health and reproductive education in a different activities. Young People are offered community setting. opportunities in education, employment training, sport, Learning outcomes for the young people art and music. were as follows: 1. Explore sexual wellbeing & 88 young people were referred to Garda Youth respecting other people’s sexuality. Diversion Project (GYDP) in Kings Island, Irishtown; 2. Understand what a healthy; Ballynanty and Henry Street Office. 9 families were relationship is for them; engaged in a new GYDP Family Support Programme 3. Understand what consent is, with a particular focus on the East Limerick area. understanding communication when they consent and don’t The types of group work and programmes accessed consent and to develop an included: appropriate response around o restorative art and woodwork; consent; o hair and beauty; 4. Be aware of the impact wider o horse care; influences can have on sexual o hand and machine sewing and stitching as part of decision making; the Teddy Bear project; 5. Link decisions to a desired future self o media training; and to gain a sense of personal o building positive relationships with local gardai; control around sexual decision o Work to Learn Programme; o physical health related activities including healthy making. cooking, eating, exercise, addiction and sexual health; o social &emotional well-being interventions addressing emotional regulation, resilience and communication. Approval was granted by the Irish Youth Justice Service for the consolidation of LYS Garda Youth Projects based in Ballynanty, Irishtown and King’s Island with an outreach youth justice worker in the Henry St Garda Division.

Youth Participation

To ensure that young people are actively involved and have real influence and voice in decision- making on matters affecting their lives, both directly and indirectly Limerick Comhairle Na nÓg

Limerick’s Comhairle Na nÓg theme for 2019 was Youth Homelessness. 30 members of Comhairle aged 12 to 18 contributed to the following worked objectives: Commissioning Project 1. Education on Homeless services 2. Deliver a meaningful activity for Homeless Young People 3. Raise awareness and funds In partnership with a number of agencies; Tusla, LCCC, HSE, Novas & Simon Community, Comhairle na nOg ran a 3 day summer camp for Homeless Young People (aged 6 to 12) in August 2019. The event was attended by 21 children. The group also ran a fundraiser in December making €300 for Novas.

Other Comhairle na nOg activities over 2019 included: As part of ‘Involving Young People in  Comhairle members involved in Healthy Limerick 'Not Commissioning’ a new Tusla initiative Around Us' initiative, and nominated for a WHO award;  Comhairle members participated in a national established in 2019, young people consultation to improve the current RSE curriculum within accessing LYS services produced a secondary schools. They discussed themes such as LGBT short animated film titled ‘What Is education, Consent and RSE teachers – this will impact on Commissioning?’ policy;  17 schools and 3 youth groups engaged in the Comhairle The video was developed by the young na nOg AGM in October. 102 young people attended people to explain what the event. ‘Commissioning’ means in a simple

LYS re-tendered for the Comhairle na nOg contract in and creative way. October 2019 and were successful in securing a three year tender. As part of the film-making process the young people discussed their Not Around Us Campaign 2019 understanding of the term commissioning, earned about its role in their lives and worked with the animation team on producing the piece and with a number of young people voicing the short film.

Supporting Volunteers

To attract, support and sustain active volunteers so they may positively contribute to improving the lives of young people, and to strengthen communities and civil society

Youth Leadership Programme

In 2019/2020, LYS developed its own ‘Leadership Programme’; building on the original ‘Involvement Training Programme’, which was delivered by LYS in collaboration with Youth Scotland to over 360 young people since 2013.

The aim of the LYS ‘Youth Leadership Programme’ is to improve young people’s awareness of and attitudes towards political, social and civic engagement and to develop community leadership skills including teamwork, communication, planning and problem skills.

In 2019, a total of 56 young people across Limerick City and County completed the original Youth Scotland’ ‘Involvement Training Programme’. An evaluation of this programme was conducted with 6 participants to inform the development of the new LYS Leadership Programme, in addition to feedback from experienced LYS staff.

Developments to the new programme include descriptions and activities rooted in more local Clonlara & Kildimo Youth Clubs contexts and improved evaluation processes so as to better understand outcomes for young people and inform continuous programme reviews and improvements.

Volunteers – Clonlara Youth Club

In 2019 an average of 1200 young people spent their free time in one of 20 youth clubs each week. As part of LYS’ affiliated youth clubs, young people can take part in a variety of activities and programmes that include inter-club visits, discos, Youth Factor variety show and youth games. Youth clubs are supported by over 250 volunteers across Limerick City and County. In 2019, the youth clubs supported included: Castleconnell OUTREACH Youth Club, DSL (Down Syndrome Limerick) Youth Club, Kilfinane Fun Outreach engages rural young people in youth clubs and Club, Granagh Youth Club, SOS programmes in community venues and facilities across Congolese Youth Club, Ballynanty Limerick City and County including provision in more Youth Club, Kildimo Youth Club, isolated rural communities. Over 500 young people were Castletroy Youth Club, Newcastle engaged in programmes including: Youth Leadership, West Youth Club, Abbeyfeale Youth Youth Bank, Strengthening Families and ‘Moving on Up’ Club, Askeaton Ballysteen Youth Club, primary to post-primary transition programme. St Senan’s Youth Club, Doon Youth The ‘Moving on Up’ primary to post-primary transition Club, Limerick Connection, Killeedy programme was delivered in primary schools in rural areas Youth club, Clonlara Youth Club, including Hazelwood College, Dromcollogher and Scoil Íde Rathkeale Youth Space, Domain agus Mhuire, Newcastlewest Youth Club, St. John's Youth Club Over 1,700 young people attended youth club discos (Garryowen), Ballingarry Youth Club & in Foynes, Newcastle West, Askeaton and the Southside Fedamore youth Club Factory Disco. Almost 300 young people attended large- scale events including the LYS End of Year Games and the LYS is committed to safeguarding Youth Factor. young people by ensuring that the entity is compliant with the Children First Act 2015 and Children First National Guidance 2017.

The LYS Child Protection team delivered child safeguarding training to 235 people. 60 participants attended a briefing session and 175 people attended the full programme. 462 people were Garda vetted.

In addition, LYS supported youth clubs and volunteers with club Governance; Finance; Grant Applications; Fundraising; National Quality Standards Framework (NQSF) Compliance; Reporting and Administration, Youth Games 2019 recognition and award events and Volunteer Recruitment events.

Youth Information

LYS’s Youth Information & Communication Service provides a general and specialist information service to young people and to those who work with them on subjects including accommodation, careers, education, Garda Youth Awards 2019 employment, rights & entitlements, sport, travel, European opportunities & more. Youth Information Centre is part of the Youth Work Ireland & SpunOut partnership that launched an online youth information chat service.

In 2019:  2,500 instances of Youth Information were provided to young people with 220 instance of information provision to significant adults/guardians;  The majority of young people in receipt of information, at almost 29% were aged 16-18, closely followed, at 28%, by young people aged between 19-26;  37% of information provision was via face to face; 21% via email/website; 17% via a social media platform and 16% via telephone;  Youth Information was also provided via large scale community events, group work and to LYS volunteers;  There were approximately 24,200 visits to the LYS website https://limerickyouthservice.com/

In 2019, LYS engaged with social media in the following ways:

o 22 Facebook Pages, 2 Twitter accounts, 1 LinkedIn, 3 Instagram, 1 Sound Cloud & 1 YouTube account with unlimited reach & interaction; o Our Twitter accounts received an average of 384,600 views and our Facebook pages approximately 450,000.

In addition, Infolink, LYS e-zine was produced weekly with all the latest LYS news along with local and Transition Programmes 2019 national youth work events and news.

Young People achieving their potential

To empower and facilitate young people to develop personally, economically and socially to meet their needs and realise their full potential.

30 major awards and 148 component certificates were achieved by 48 CTC learners in 2019.

LYS CTC has outstanding progression results to Employment and FET. In 2019, 94% of trainees that completed their LCA Class 2019 course or time at LYS Social Inclusion /Learner Supports CTC progressed to LYS CTC strives to ensure that all our young people have employment or Further

TrainingCentre (CTC) a sense of belonging. With our learner centred ethos, we Education & Training enable out learners to take charge of their lives and to (FET) (40% in to grow and develop as individuals to understand that they Employment, 54% on to have a right to be respected, accepted and equal FET). member of society.

Supports and Social Inclusion at LYS CTC include LYS CTC is committed initiatives such as TY placements, Third Level Placements, to developing Trainees’ Summer Programme for learners and activities to enrich learning and enhance personal and social skills. skills to succeed and

bridge the gap to Community employment: 157 Work Experience Placements were facilitated in 2019 displaying LYS CTCs commitment to work/skills-based learning. Placements are of great value to

Trainees in consolidating their learning, aiding self-

guidance, development of 21st Century Skills, and preparation for employment or FET

Youth Employability

Initiative (YEI)

The Ability Programme LYS facilitated the YEI between June 2019 and February 2020. The aim of this project was to aims to empower and facilitate young people (15-24yrs) with disabilities to develop contribute towards the employability of young personally, economically and socially to people aged 16-18 years, from the St. Mary’s Park meet their needs and realise their full area of Limerick City through strengthening social potential. Ability Participants must live in and emotional skills; career development skills Limerick City or surrounds and have a including CV writing, interview and work experience skills and to support progress to formalised skills diagnosis of a disability. In 2019, 24 training programmes/courses. 6 young people, males young people joined the Ability programme and females, aged 16-18, participated in the where they were mentored, coached and initiative. supported into education, training and or employment. In addition to one to one mentoring and group work Two young people from the Ability sessions, this programme delivered the ‘Work to Programme were successful applicants in Learn’ Planned Programme encompassing activities Future Film Makers having completed a focused on the development of employability skills C.V, an application form and Interview. for those young people who are at risk of/not in David O’Brien and Max O’Sullivan took part in the first stage which was a series of education, training or employment. diverse workshops where trainees were introduced to different aspects of film work. Work experience was a key feature of the From camera work, theatrical make up programme as the young people took part in application and prop-making. Once Future Film Makers was completed David and Max employment placement with local organisations and were afforded the amazing opportunity to businesses including the St. Mary’s Community Café volunteer on the set of a short film and Clonlara horse-riding centre. production gaining a true insight into life on set. A significant outcome of the project On completion of the work to learn programme, included both young people securing places on the second stage, Passport to participants have gained knowledge and skills in CV Production, a week-long, full-time development, job research and application skills, programme run by an industry partner Troy interview and work experience skills. The Studios. participants completed work experience placements in areas including catering, sport and working with animals.

Graduates from LYS’ Youth Employability Initiative Programme at Nicholas St Youth Space

ging with LYS Community Training Centre, Two participants have indicated that they would like to pursue a QQI L3 in catering and would 23 like to apply to Limerick Youth Service for their training.

Enabling our Strategy

To build a strong organisation that is open to learning, responsive to change and committed to its ongoing development.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND RISK MANAGEMENT

STRUCTURE Management Team LYS was founded in 1973 and is registered as a Scheme of The Board delegates the day to day Incorporation by the Commissioners of Charitable management of LYS to the CEO and Donations and Bequests in Ireland, under Section 2 of the Management Team who are as Charities Act 1973. The Scheme and Constitution were follows:- revised in 2011 and approved and sealed by the Commissioners for Charitable donations and Bequests for CEO Ireland in December 2011. Fiona O Grady CTC General Manager Recruitment and Appointment of Board Members James Connery (Resigned 6th LYS is governed by members of the Board who are September 2019) appointed for a term of three years and may serve no CTC General Manager more than two terms of three years. The Board members Kathryn Clancy (Appointed 9th are volunteers and are its Trustees for the purposes of October 2019) Charity Law. Youth Work Manager Maurice Walsh The Board meet a minimum of six times per year and met Finance Manager six times in 2019. Bernadette Behan Human Resources Manager The Board of LYS are not remunerated for their services to Sinead Noonan the organisation, however, in some instances nominal travel costs are paid.

STAFFING The current Board members of LYS are as follows:- LYS employs approximately 100 staff Mr Patrick Lynch Chairperson and 400 volunteers are engaged in Mr Eddie O'Neill October 2014 various aspects of our work. Mr Dan O'Gorman December 2014 LYS is also active supporter of Ms Bernadette Daly March 2015 Community Employment Scheme and Ms Sinead Clohessy March 2015 Jobs Initiative programme with Ms Audrey Healy June 2016 members participating in further Fr Seamus Enright October 2016 training and education programmes. Ms Karen Long Eacrett February 2018 Inspector Paul Reidy February 2018 Ms Karen O Connor February 2018 Dr Patrick Buckley February 2018 Ms Laura Scanlan February 2018 Ms Aoife Walsh June 2018

UB OMMITTEES S C RISK MANAGEMENT

The Board has established a number of sub committees including Audit, LYS holds risk management as a Governance and Risk, CTC and Human Resources in addition to time core tenet in its Strategic bound specified purpose working groups which advise on specific outlook and central to effective projects. Governance. Risk is an everyday part of the Audit, Governance and Risk Sub Committee organisations activities and managing it effectively is The role of the Audit, Governance and Risk Sub Committee is to monitor essential to provide an effective service and safeguard funds and control the audit and risk management systems of LYS including and assets. Risks can affect planning the annual audit, reviewing the annual financial statements, staff, volunteers, service users, reviewing the quarterly management accounts, reviewing the risk liability to others, property etc. register and driving good governance practice and policy. In order to effectively manage risk, LYS identifies risk, assesses In 2019, the Audit, Governance and Risk Sub Committee continued to the likelihood/probability and work on a number of areas including reviewing and restating of the the consequences or impact of Governance Code and ongoing development of the risk policy. an occurrence. We monitor identified risks on an ongoing going basis and manage risks Membership through tolerating low level risks, Mr Eddie O' Neill Board Member managing and containing Ms Audrey Healy Board Member certain risks to acceptable Fr Seamus Enright Board Member levels, transferring identified risks Ms Karen O Connor Board Member to third parties through insurance or terminating certain CTC Sub Committee activities where risks are The CTC Sub Committee’s principal objective is to assist the Board of unacceptably high. LYS in the provision of training, education and employment related services for young people in a friendly and informal manner. CHILDREN FIRST LYS is committed to safeguarding Membership young people by ensuring that Ms. Mary English Sub Committee Member the entity is compliant with the Mr. Sean O’Meara Sub Committee Member Children First Act 2015 and Mr. James Connery CTC General Manager Children First National Guidance (Resigned 6th September 2019 2017. All our staff and volunteers undertake an application Ms. Kathryn Clancy CTC General Manager process, including Garda vetting (Appointed 9th October 2019) and cannot start employment/ Ms. Fiona O’Grady CEO volunteering before their vetting Ms. Bernadette Daly Board Member is complete. All staff and Ms. Irene Glimore Probation Services volunteers participate in a 4 hour Mr. Maurice Walsh Youth Work Manager Child Safeguarding Awareness programme (NYCI). On completion of this

programme, each participant Human Resources Sub Committee receives a certificate which is The Human Resources Sub Committee was established in 2018 and its valid for 4 years. In 2019, the principal objective is to assist the Board and the CEO to fulfil their Child Protection team functions by providing timely advice and guidance on areas within its delivered child safeguarding remit. training to 235 people. In 2019, 60 participants attended a briefing Membership session and 175 people attended Ms. Audrey Healy Board Member the full programme. In 2019, 462 people were Garda vetted. Fr. Seamus Enright Board Member Ms. Sinead Clohessy Board Member Ms. Bernadette Daly Board Member

STAFF TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

Throughout 2019 LYS has committed significant resources to building staff knowledge, skills and capacity in order to be proactive in meeting the needs of young people. Training and upskilling has been conducted in areas Youth Participation Training with with Hub na nÓg (DCYA) including:  Safeguarding  Health & Safety EVIDENCE & DATA COLLECTION  First Aid  ASIST LYS strengthened our evidence-informed and outcomes based  Restorative Practice programme planning in-line with organisational and national  Information Technology objectives and policy. We have worked on prioritising clear links  Group Facilitation Skills between objectives, inputs, outputs & outcomes and  Resillance implemented and developed data collection applications. This in  Restorative Practice turn has generated data on the numbers and socio-economic profile of young people accessing LYS services & supports and youth work operational activities LYS staff undertook bespoke youth participation In order to evidence our work we have implemented the practitioner training with Hub evidence-based Outcomes Star tool for use with the Youth Mental na nÓg (DCYA) focused on Health project, Youth and Family Support Service and the GYDP ensuring the active voice and teams involvement of young people in decision making. LYS have also faciliated the completion and publication of ‘A baseline study and needs analysis of young people aged 10-18 A competency Based in Limerick County’, funded through the LEADER Programme Performance Achievement 2014-2020. This study identified key issues affecting young system was also implemented people in rural areas and identified clear recommendations, in 2019. which will be used to develop funded interventions targeting young people in rural County Limerick. https://limerickyouthservice.com/resources- publications/#baseline-study-needs-analysis-of-young-people-in- rural-county-limerick-10-18yrs

Company Marathon Challenge 2019 – University Of Limerick

“LYS is engaging in collaborative

partnerships and activities in order to COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS maximise outcomes for young people” In 2019 LYS continued to contribute to local, regional and national policy development through active participation in a number of inter-agency policy and decision making structures, including:

. Youth Work Ireland . Local Community Development Committee . Limerick Sports Partnership . Irish Association of Community Training Organisations . LCETB Youthwork Sub Committee . Regional Drugs Task Force . Connecting for Life Mid West Steering Group . Limerick Integration Working Group . Limerick Children and Young People’s Services Committee (CYPSC) (Research Sub-Group)

In addition we participate on a range of collaborative partnerships and networks including; . JAG (Jigsaw Advisory Committee) . SIG (Youth Mental Health Service Integration Committee) . Limerick Mental Health Week Committee . Area Forum for mental health . Garryowen CDP board . Children & Youth Fora . Rathkeale Youth Network . Local Link Board . Local committees and events structures

Corporate Partners

LYS also worked with corporate partners including; . GECAS . Roche’s Foods . Analog Devices

Smart CityxChange (Positive City ExChange) is a smart city project, which has been granted funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme in the call for ‘Smart cities and communities.’ The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) is the host and leads the +CityxChange consortium together with the Lighthouse Cities Trondheim Kommune and Limerick City and County Council. LYS is one of the test sites for this initiative.

THE FUTURE

Looking forward to 2020, there is a number of opportunities and challenges which will present themselves;

o Covid 19 will present some of the most significant challenges ever experienced in terms of how we deliver our services and the uncertaintity created by the pandemic will be felt into the medium term. Our priority will be to prioritise the needs of young people in this new normal and to ensure our services continue in a responsive and flexible manner.

o The publication of the research on rural young people will inform future planning and service delivery in rural areas.

o The DCYA are reforming the Special Projects for Youth Funding and all existing projects will be required to be re-engineered to fit the requirements of the new Targeted Youth Funding Scheme by June 2020.

o The Youth Services Grant which traditionally funded the core costs of the organisation is being reviewed and reformed. This will require some restructuring in how we work in 2020.

o The continued difficulty in recruiting and retaining volunteers, particularly in urban areas will challenge us in the delivery of Volunteer led Youth work.

o We will continue to expand links with private enterprise and look to develop appropriate partnerships and collaborations with corporate bodies.

o In 2019 we continued to work on governance and 2020 will be the first year registered charities are expected to comply with the new CRA Governance Code.

o Reduction in the number of learners in the CTC from 110 to 100 and consequent reduction in staffing has required and will continue to necessitate some reorganisation of programme delivery in 2020

FURTHER INFORMATION

LIMERICK YOUTH SERVICE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2019 CAN BE FOUND AT https://limerickyouthservice.com/resources-publications/#lys-financial-statements

LIMERICK YOUTH SERVICE www.limerickyouthservice.com

LIMERICK YOUTH SERVICE, LOWER GLENTWORTH ST., LIMERICK, IRELAND, V94YF95

T +353 (0)61 412444 W WWW.LIMERICKYOUTHSERVICE